As the buzz for 2025’s gaming lineup intensifies, let’s take a moment to reflect on the fantastic gaming moments 2024 showered us with. Whether it was exploring dazzling Lego landscapes, engaging in epic quests, or revisiting old favorites, this year surely had a little something for everyone.
### A Year of Expansive RPGs
The past year truly delivered on RPGs, whisking us away to enchanting worlds where magic flourished and heroes with pointed ears ruled the skies. Atlus, the brains behind Persona, ventured into exciting new territory with Metaphor ReFantazio, earning accolades for its engaging combat mechanics and stunning presentation, not to mention its unforgettable battle theme.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth tackled the daunting challenge of reviving a classic RPG icon, successfully carrying forward the momentum built by its predecessor, Final Fantasy VII Remake. Meanwhile, Granblue Fantasy: Relink captured the spirit of cooperative combat with its dynamic RPG format, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard left us spellbound with gripping quests and stirring music by the legendary Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe.
For those leaning towards a grittier, more grounded experience, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth provided a thrilling RPG escape into the gritty streets, drawing on the colorful world of Yakuza with its captivating combat and diverse storyline.
### A Year of Classic Remasters
2024 didn’t just introduce new titles; it also celebrated the nostalgia of the classics. Disney’s Epic Mickey made a colorful comeback, showcasing the icon Mickey Mouse with fresh abilities and a visual overhaul that paid homage to its origins.
Lara Croft fans were in for a treat with the release of Tomb Raider I–III Remastered, providing a treasure-filled nostalgic journey alongside George Stobbart and Nico Collard in Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged. In the realm of sci-fi and fantasy, Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster and Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition dazzled us with their updated takes on beloved genres.
And for those who craved a dose of undead action, Capcom delivered with Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, bringing back the zombie-infested chaos with even sharper visuals and gameplay enhancements.
### A Year of Horror and Retro-Inspired Scares
While nostalgic remasters brought joy, some games returned to give us chills. Silent Hill 2 resurfaced with a breathtaking remake, intensifying the eerie experiences with Pyramid Head that horror fans dreaded and revered.
New titles like Crow Country drew us in with vintage survival horror vibes, Fear the Spotlight’s retro style kept players on edge, and Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game added a whimsical yet terrifying twist to the asymmetrical multiplayer genre.
For a more modern scare, Still Wakes the Deep offered a terrifying psychological and cosmic horror experience, while Alien: Rogue Incursion in VR left us heart-poundingly immersed in its chilling atmospheres.
### A Year of Character Platformers
2024 was a standout year for platformers. Leading the charge was Astro Bot from Team Asobi, whose inventive levels, superb use of the DualSense controller, and guest appearances secured its place as a new classic.
Beyond Astro Bot, Another Crab’s Treasure introduced us to Kril, a crusty hero tackling adventures in an aquatic world with makeshift weapons crafted from junk. Penny’s Big Breakaway revived the exhilaration of fast-paced platformers, with the hero pursued by a relentless penguin army, bringing vibrant chaos to our screens.
### A Year of Creative Art Design
Our screens in 2024 were graced by games with distinct artistic flair, seamlessly blending stunning visuals with compelling gameplay. The painstakingly detailed stop-motion animation in Harold Halibut was the result of a decade-long effort, creating a visually unique graphic adventure.
Color and contrast guided Neva through its mesmering landscape, while the quirky Thank Goodness You’re Here! delighted with its bright and humorously exaggerated aesthetic, echoing classic British comic styles.
Adding to the creative mix, LEGO Horizon Adventures spun a blocky yet captivating twist on Horizon Zero Dawn, letting players imagine and build its virtual world with real-life LEGO bricks.
What were your favorite gaming memories and trends of 2024?
